Your Union

The union represents members who apply all types of roofing and waterproofing systems, including but not limited to: all low-sloped roofing systems (vegetative and solar photovoltaic roofs), structural waterproofing, steep-sloped roofing systems, air barrier applications, and building envelopes.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Our History

Roofs have been necessary since our ancestors first stepped out of their caves and began building shelters using indigenous materials. While our modern-day coverings have come a long way from thatched roofs of grass and twigs, the principle remains the same—skilled craftsmen use their talents to provide lasting shelter and protection.

The International Slate and Tile Roofers Union of America was chartered by the American Federation of Labor on June 5, 1903. The International Brotherhood of Composition Roofers, Damp and Waterproof Workers received their AFL charter on Nov. 6, 1906.

From these beginnings, the two unions functioned independently but cooperatively for 13 years. In 1919, the organizations met in Pittsburgh and merged to form the United Slate, Tile and Composition Roofers, Damp and Waterproof Workers Association. The merged union grew from 1,600 members to more than 7,000 by World War II.

Construction blossomed after the war, with membership doubling by 1950. Steady growth marked the 1950s. By 1978, the union had 28,000 members. It was during that year the union adopted its new name, the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, approved extensive revisions to its constitution, and began a much-praised health and safety program.

Over time we have evolved to meet the modern-day challenges of the roofing industry. In 2004 the Marketing Department was created to assist our local affiliates in marketing, organizing, recruiting, member training and leadership training. To further develop our robust network of nationwide training, the Roofers & Waterproofers Research and Education Joint Trust Fund was established in 2008 to increase our ability to properly train our roofers and waterproofers in a safe and productive manner. In 2021 the Trust launched the National Instructor Training Program—the first of its kind for our industry.

Our work continues today with an emphasis on training, safety, and cooperation. Our goal is to provide the safest and best-trained roofers in the industry for our signatory contractors.

Read more about our history in The Journey of the Journeyman Roofer & Waterproofer: 115 Years of History.

OFFICERS:
James A. Hadel, International President
Mitch Terhaar, International Secretary-Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS:

Douglas Ziegler, First
Paul F. Bickford, Second
Daniel P. O’Donnell, Third
Robert Peterson, Fourth
Michael Stiens, Fifth
Brent R. Beasley, Sixth
Joseph Pozzi, Seventh
Gary W. Menzel, Eighth
Michael Kujawa, Ninth
Shawn McCullough, Tenth

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
James Brown
Kevin King
Michael Vasey
Brent Beasley
Leo Marsura

EXEC. DIRECTOR OF ROOFERS & WATERPROOFERS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION JOINT TRUST FUND:
Keith J. Vitkovich

DIRECTOR OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT:
Jeff Eppenstein

ASSISTANT TO THE INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT:
Jordan Ritenour

DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES:
Frank Massey

MEDIA DIRECTOR:
Erin C. McDermott

Eight District Councils serve as regional bodies for local unions.

ILLINOIS
Larry Gnat, President
Local Union #11
2021 Swift Dr., Ste. A
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(708) 345-0970

Steven Peterson, Secretary
Local Union #69
3917 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 673-8033

INDIANA
Charles Waddell, President
Local Union #23
1345 Northside Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 288-6506

Marcus Bass, Secretary
Local Union #26
25 W. 84th Ave.
Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 756-3713

MICHIGAN
Mark Woodward, President
Local Union #70
P.O. Box 116
Howell, MI 48844
(517) 548-6554

Brian Gregg, Secretary
Local Union #149
P.O. Box 32800
Detroit, MI 48232
(313) 961-6093

MID-STATES
Bill Franklin, President
Local Union #44
1651 E. 24th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 781-4844

Nancy Weibel, Treasurer
Local Union #71
2714 Martin L. King
Youngstown, OH 44510
(330) 746-3020

NORTH CENTRAL STATES
Tyler Krogen, President
Local Union #96
17226 Lincoln St. NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
(763) 230-7663

Steve Gercone, Secretary
Local Union #20
6321 Blue Ridge Blvd., Ste. 202
Raytown, MO 64133
(816) 313-9420

NORTHEAST
Shawn McCullough, President
Local Union #30
6447 Torresdale Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19135
(215) 331-8770

Mark Canino, Secretary
Local Union #9
114 Old Forge Rd.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(860) 721-1174

NORTHWEST
Leo Marsura, President
Local Union #189
1727 E. Francis, #4
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 327-2322

Richard Geyer, Secretary
Local Union #153
3049 S. 36th St.
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 474-0527

WESTERN REGIONAL

Morgan Nolde, President
Local Union #81
8400 Enterprise Way
Ste. 122
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-0505

Jose Padilla, Secretary
Local Union #40
150 Executive Park Blvd.
Ste. 3625
San Francisco, CA 94134
(415) 508-0261